Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-06
A DAKOTA CHARACTER.
Dennis Harnadn, Executive Head vi
Squatter Sovereigns,

Dennis Harnafin, Executive Head of
squatter Sovereigns.
Dakota department st. Paul Pioneer
Press: Dennis Hannafin, ls the great
antagonizer of the northwest. It
was an early castom to elect squatter
governor for the territory and following
this custom Mr.. HaDnatin was elected
last winter by what is known as the
"third house," In his inaugural he
gave as the war cry OF his administration
the words " "Antagonize 'em }" and up to
that motto he has religiously lived.
Mr.. Hannafin is OF Irish birth and
parantage, bat came to this country in
1S47, being then fifteen years OF age,
The family settled in Buffalo, N. T.,
whore the father shortly after died !.
Young Hannatin went to Chicago in
1860, and entered the service OF the Illi.
nois Central railroad, remaining in the
employ of that corporation for nine
years. The outbreak OF the
waE found him in Memphie,
but he hastened home and
was soon commissioned lieutenant
by Gov. Yates and proceeded to raise a
company afterward known as company
f, seventy-ffth Illinois volunteers.
From that time till the close OF the was
Lieut.. Hannafin served in the army Of
the Cumberland, participating in the
battles OF Perryyille, Stone river, Look
out mountain, and the various engage
msnts for which that army was famous.
He came to Dakota in 1866, befo-e
| Wyoming was cut off from this territory.
and was engaged on the Union Pacific
railway. In 1872 he struck the Northern
Pacific at Brainerd, and shortly after
went to Bismarck, where he has since
resided.
In the early and troublesome times on
the frontier Denny HanDafin was Q
lprOminent figure. His hair.breath eB-
icspes would fill volume and included
lset-tos with Indians, highway robbers
gamblers, blacklega OF various kinds, ani
even included disputes with biuecoatl
who happened to get q little too fresh o.
presume too much on their authority
Ii Hannafin ever came out second hes
In any of his troubles the fact is not re.
membered by the Oldest .inhabitant.
GOV. Hannatin ls consistent dem
ocrat, and what 10 stranger, is o prohi
bitionist. When Hancock was nomina
, ted Hannafin went to New York to se
him. He told the adjutant general ho,
/
cured him private interview. Mr.
4 dannafin's advice to Gen. Hancock ha
r been the theme OF good many writere
but in nearly every case what he sal
WAS distorted or Exaggerated. He di
not tell the general to t'stand pat" g
4 has been 30 often reported, or any nor
: sense OF that kind. What he said ws
: this: General, you have been uomin,
n ted on your name and record. The me
who live IN the territories are natur,
y politicians il they weren't they wouldn
Q live there. Now what I say to you ii
n don't write one d--ietter on the tari
It or finance, and keep away from Ne
@ York"
I'll If Hancock had observed this advi.
= he would have come much nearer gu
IT ceaR than he did. AS it was, he taanks
d Mr.. Hannafin, and said he hoped
y have the pleseure Of meeting. him sgai
,e when he could stand more courtesi
+ than he conld at that time.
< "Weill," replied Hannafn, s.you OF
y lrest sstty sure you'll see me again